Is Austin or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than Austin (Safety Score 49/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 54% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Salem has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 21.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Austin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Salem, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,706.0 | +2,003.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 152.3 | +315.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 13.1 | +54.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 34.8 | +50.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 104.5 | +202.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,553.7 | +1,688.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 106.6 | +338.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,347.0 | +851.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 100.1 | +498.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Salem safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Salem has 152.3. Salem has lower violent crime.
About Austin, TX
Austin, the "Live Music Capital of the World," is a rapidly growing city in Central Texas. Situated on the Colorado River, it's the state capital and home to a diverse population, including many young professionals drawn to its tech industry. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 984,613, Austin has a total crime rate of 3,709.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Salem, MA
Salem, Massachusetts, renowned for the 1692 witch trials, is a small coastal city north of Boston. Its population is approximately 45,000, with a significant portion employed in tourism and education. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 45,955, Salem has a total crime rate of 1,706.0 per 100,000 residents.